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Tagovailoa, 28, joins the Falcons on a one-year deal worth $1.3 million following his departure from the Miami Dolphins. His arrival in Atlanta marks a fresh start for the six-year veteran, who was released by Miami in March in a move that saw the Dolphins absorb a record $99.2 million in dead cap space.
Navigating the Preseason Competition
The path to the starting job was not without its hurdles for either candidate. Tagovailoa dealt with a tight back early in training camp, which forced him to miss the opening week of practice. Meanwhile, Penix was working his way back from a torn ACL suffered in November 2025. The rookie did not receive medical clearance for full 11-on-11 team drills until the final week of the camp, limiting his opportunities to challenge for the starting position.
During the preseason, Tagovailoa saw action in two games. His first appearance against the Denver Broncos was brief, lasting only nine plays. He showed more rhythm in his second outing against his former team, the Dolphins, completing 7-of-8 passes for 95 yards. However, the coaching staff noted areas for improvement, as Tagovailoa struggled with fumbled snaps in both appearances and faced challenges pushing the ball downfield consistently throughout the summer.
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
By securing the Week 1 start, Tagovailoa becomes the latest in a string of different opening-day quarterbacks for the Falcons, who have featured a new starter in the position for each of the past six seasons. The team will look to his experience to stabilize the offense as they face the Steelers.
Tagovailoa brings a significant resume to Atlanta, having led the NFL in passing yards with 4,624 in 2023 and topping the league in completion percentage at 72.9% in 2024. Throughout his six-year career, he has maintained a 68% completion rate, recording 18,166 passing yards, 120 touchdowns, and 59 interceptions. Despite these accolades, his recent tenure was marked by injury concerns, particularly regarding concussions, and a 15-interception campaign last season. The Falcons will be banking on his ability to remain healthy and efficient as they begin their 2026 campaign.
